Ramu NiCo Management (MCC) Limited’s (RNML) Basamuk Refinery and Kurumbukari Mine kicked off the annual National Mine Safety Week (NMSW) commemoration on Monday 12th June that ran through to Saturday 17th June that placed emphasis on mobile equipment safety.
The highlight of the NMSW at Basamuk Refinery saw a first of its kind demonstration on Friday June 16th when the participating departments from the Refinery demonstrated to the general public around the vicinity of the Refinery especially students and users of the Refinery road of the impacts of the big trucks (Terex) that transport limestone from the Limestone Quarry to the Refinery.
The impacts those big trucks can have when they hit something will be demonstrated when one of these trucks was used to hit a damaged light vehicle for the public and employees to witness first hand. This was in line with 2023 National Mine Safety Week theme: Mobile Equipment Safety.
Environment Supervisor, Ms. Rena Dukaduka from the Health, Safety and Environment Department (HSE) of Ramu NiCo’s Basamuk Refinery said, to have an interaction with the communities is to show the general public the impacts the big Terex trucks can have on light vehicles and to emphasize on the safe distance to keep when one of these trucks passes by.
Ms. Dukaduka who led the team with preparations for the commemoration said, the safety week commenced with a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) tests and the issuing of flyers at the Refinery gate, safety posters display and a presentation on Mobile Equipment Safe Operations and interactions with people for all employees from all departments on Monday.
A general vehicle inspection was also conducted including a demonstration of the Traffic Management Plan (TMP) Infringement where pedestrians and drivers must obey or adhere to signage at intersections within the site to avoid preventable incidences.
Other activities include forklift safety, light vehicle safe operations and front-end loader safe operations and quizzes.
Ms. Dukaduka added, with the walkathon from the Refinery to the Camp that ended the NMSW commemoration for Basamuk Refinery placed a strong emphasis on fitness for workers.
RNML’s Kurumbukari (KBK) Mine also observed the annual NMSW from the 12th to the 16th of June.
KBK Mine’s program ranged from vehicle pre-start checks where all drivers inspected the vehicles in the morning throughout the week, health hazard awareness and also awareness on safety, environment and medical treatment at a local school was conducted. Safety inspections were also conducted at the beneficiation plant, lab, camp, water sluicing as well as other critical sections of the Mine.
The RNML Headquarters in Madang observed the NMSW from the 5th to the 9th of June.
Ms. Theresa Chan, Safety Officer who led the NMSW commemoration to kick off at Ramu NiCo headquarters said, “This year’s NMSW theme is Mobile Equipment Safety. The purpose of this program is to promote safe work practices & awareness within our Company but also across other mining industries. To raise awareness, it will aide in decreasing the likelihood of injuries & fatalities, to make employees aware of the safety procedures & follow these safety procedures – contributing to building a safe culture.”
The Mining Industry has experienced an increased rate of mobile equipment fatalities due to operator fatigue, lack of situational awareness (ability to see). This does not only apply within our Company but also domestically & internationally. Because of that, Chamber of Mines & MRA has chosen Mobile Equipment Safety as the theme for this year, Ms. Chan said.
